Transforming land ownership is crucial for the ANC government, and will be pursued vigorously as a vehicle to combat rural poverty and promote rural development. Central to the commitment to rural development and land and agrarian reform is the progressive policy around gender issues with regard to the pattern of ownership, as well as placing women strategically as significant beneficiaries and key decision-makers fighting poverty in rural areas. This will strengthen family values and women's emancipation, as most of the husbands are working in urban areas.